CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 58-year-old woman, Rasheedat Bello, was arraigned before an Ojo Magistrate Court over an alleged fraud involving the sum of N10,000,000 from the sale of a family property in Lagos State.
The defendant was brought before the court on a one-count charge of fraud contrary to Section 323 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
According to the charge sheet marked Charge No. 07/1/73/26, the Commissioner of Police alleged that the incident occurred on December 17, 2025 at about 10:00am at Etegbin Area, Shibiri, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos State.
The prosecution told the court that Rasheedat Bello, with intent to cheat, allegedly tricked her siblings and collected the sum of N10,000,000 realized from the sale of their late father’s property.
The money was said to have been kept under her care as part of the share for her elder brother, one Taiye Ramoni Bello.
The Police alleged that instead of handing over the full amount to her brother, the defendant used the money to buy a property for him without his consent.
The charge further stated that the property purchased was allegedly cheaper than the total share of money meant for him.
The offence, according to the prosecution, is punishable under Section 323 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.
When the charge was read to her, she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, ASP Esther Adesulu, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove the allegations.
The defendant was yet to take her plea as at the time of filing this report.
The presiding Magistrate, O.M. Ogun, granted her bail with sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available.
Court officials listed for the matter included L.K.J Layemi and Inspector. Hajara Umar of Ilemba Hausa Police Station.
The magistrate adjourned the matter for further mention and directed that the defendant be remanded in custody pending fulfillment of bail.
Legal experts say Section 323 of the Lagos Criminal Law deals with obtaining money by false pretenses and fraud, and carries significant penalties upon conviction.
The matter was adjourned to allow for further proceedings.